Folding step-ladder.



L. 0. GARRAWAY' FOLDINGISTEP LADDER. APPLICATION FILED DEO.1,,1913.

1,103,896 Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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I HE NORRIS PETERS COvv PHOTO-LITHD. WASHINGTON D, L,

L. 0. GARRAWAY.

FOLDING STEP LADDER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. II 1913.

Patented Sept. 1,1914,

3 SHEETS SHEET. 2..

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON, D. C.

L. O. GARRAWAY.

FOLDING STEP LADDER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG.1,1913.I

1,108,896. Patented Sept. 1, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 amuem lio'a Z. O. fiarra'wa y wi tnwoao THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTOH. D.

SHOT/mug NIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEE- o'zE GARRAWAY, or MEMPirIs, TENNESSEE.

FOLDING STEP-LADDER.

1 Application filed December 1, 1913. Serial No. 804,087.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LEE 0. GARRAWAY,

citizen of the UnitedStates, residing atimprove the construction and increase the efliciency and utility of devices of this character.

Another object .of the invention is to provide a device of this character having an improved construction ofthe frame and of the steps whereby the parts mutually embrace and reinforce each other so that the stability and steadiness of the device is increased, and displacement of the parts prevented when in use.

' With. these and other objects in view the invention consistsof certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described andthen specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the in.

vention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device from the rear and in open position. Fig. 2 is'a perspective view of one of the foldable steps detached. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, from the front, of the improved device in folded position. Fig. 1 is a front elevation in open position. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of the device partly in section. Fig. 6 is a. perspective view from above of the combined, upper step platform and locking member. Fig. 7 is a perspective view from beneath of a modified form of the step. Fig. 8 is aview similar to Fig. 3 illustrating another modification in the construction of the step.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. The improved ladder comprises in general side; members spaced apart, gsteps each formed'of two members hingedly united at their confronting ends and hing'edly united to the sides to dispose into substantially parallel relations when the ladder is folded, a top step swinging from one of the side members and adapted to engage the other Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914.-

side members and hold'the same distended,

and brace members hingedly united to the sides and foldable together therewith.

The sides of'the latter are precisely alike except that one is right and the other lefthanded, and the description of one will suffice fOr both. i

The ladder. sides are each formed of longitudinal members spaced apart and repre sented conventionally at 1112. Each longitudinal member is formed in L-shape and connected at the upper ends by a web 13 iandat the lower ends by a web 14, while .a transverse web 15 connects the longitudinal members opposite each step. Any required number of the steps may be employed but for the purpose of illustration two of the steps are shown, but it will-be obvious that the ladder may be increased 11+l 2 and forms a stop for the steps, as

hereafter explained. The members 1112,1 the webs 1314-15 together with the iniwardly directed stops 16 are preferably formed from asingle plate of metal and with thefree edges turned over to increase the strength. One of the webs 13 is provided with a slot 17 the object to be here after explained. Connecting the sides at the points where the steps are located are rods 18.-

Pivoted at 19 to the side members 11 are swinging legs 20 each being preferably formed from an L bar with a cleft in the upper-end of each, the material which is released by the cleft beingbent over upon the webs which constitute the legs as shown at 20,20 to reinforce the legs, and the pivot in inclined position, as hereafter explained.

Pivoted at 21 to the rear webs of each leg member 20 are diagonal braces 22-23, the brace member 22 being provided with a longitudinal slot 2 1, while the brace member 23 is provided with a similar longitudinal slot 25.

The brace members 2223 are arranged to cross each other intermediate the ends with the slot at slidably enga ing over a pin 26 projecting from one of the leg members 20, while the slot 25 of the brace me1nber 23 engages over a pin 27 projecting from the other leg member. The pin 26 is threaded and provided with a wing nut 28, while the pin 27 is threaded and providedwith a similar wing nut 29. By this means the brace members 2223 may be clamped in position relative to the leg members 20 either in closed or distended position, and firmly support them and preventing the collapsing of the device. The slot is located near the upper edges of the webs 13 and is utilized as a pintle upon which the upper step of the ladder is mounted to swing. The upper step is represented in perspective in 4: and comprises a body portion 30 having a longi tudinally directed enlargement 31 whereby a longitudinally directed opening 32 is produced, the inner wall of the enlargement 31 extending obliquely to the longitudinal plane of the body 30, so that the opening 31 tapers toward one side edge of the body. The body portion 30 and the enlargement 31 are preferably constructed from asingle plate of metal with the enlargement 31 riveted or otherwise securedat 33 to the body. Previous to riveting the portions 3031 together the lower side of the enlargement is pivoted" through the slot, whereby the body 30 with its enlargement is free to swing upon the portion of the web 13 above the slot, as will be obvious. V i

The end of the body 30 opposite the enlargement 31 is reduced and bent into a hook-like form 34 to bear over the upper edge of the web 13 of the opposite ladder side, as shown. By this simple means the step 30 will perform the two-fold function of a step and of a means for holding the sides of a ladderstructure in spaced relations. At its rear edge thebody 30 of the upper step is formed with an upwardly directed web 35 with its ends in relatively close proximity to the inner edges of the rear webs of the members 11 of the sides, the upper edge of the web 35 the upper face of the enlargement 31 and the upper end-of the hook-like portion 34 being in substantial alinement when the'ladder is in open and operative position. As shown the enlargement 31 and-the hook-like terminal 341 of the upper step are of considerable height so that when'the step is connected to the sides of the ladder the body 30 will be located at a considerable distance below the upper ends of the ladder sides as shown in Fig. 1, whereby a shallow receptacle is produced closed at the ends and rear and portions of the front, which will be found very convenient for to the ladder sides.

the inner faces of the outer members 11-12.

supporting pails, brushes, tools or other articles which may be employed in c0nnection with the step ladder;

Attached to the rear face of the web 35 is an extension 36 having an upwardly opening hollow 37 intermediate its ends, the device being so constructed that when the ladder is disposed in folded position the inner "face of the body 30 will bear against the outer faces of the ladder side with which it is swingserves as an extension to the back of the upper step to increase the depth of the receptacle before mentioned.

Each step of the ladder is formed in coacting sections hingedly united at their confronting ends and swingingly coupled Each step comprises base portions 3839 hingedly united at their confronting ends as represented at 40, the

outer ends of the platesextending obliquely to the longitudinal plane of the plate, so that when the latter sides are distended and disposed in their inclined position the outer ends of the plates will bear squarely against The members 38-.39, as before stated,are

of metal, and bearing upon each plate. 38-

is a step or tread i1, while a similar tread flZ'bears upon the plate 39. The members 4:l-t2 are preferably of wood or similar ma-;

terial, and secured by screws or other suitable fastening devices to the members 3s 39. a g y Depending from the members 38 39 near their outer ends are" U-shaped members j4-3 1-t which engage overv the rods 18 which extend through the front and rearwebs of the members 11l2. Each of the step members 381l is supported upon one of the rods 18, while the step members 39 12 are each supported upon another of the rods 18 when in distended or operative position with the outer ends of the step members bearing against the inner faces of; the webs 15 and the adjacentportions of the side members 1112. The webs 15, as before stated, are formed with inwardly directed upper portions 16, and the parts'are so arranged 'tl1at the inwardly directed portions 16 bear over.

the adjacent ends of the step members 3839 when the latter are disposed in their hori rental or operative position and thus materially assist'in holding the parts together and preventing the sagging of the steps,

The hinges'tO are located at the lower sides of the plates 38-39, and the confronting ends of the treads 41-42 bear against each other at a considerable distance above the pintles of the hinges 40, and thus effectually webs of the prevent all sagging of the steps below the horizontal line. The pintles of the hinges g connected between the members 38-391and the vertical extensions 52, and aredesigned 40 are coupled by a stay member 47 the latter having a longitudinal slot 48 where it engages with one of the hinge. pintles, preferably the upper one as shown, toprovide a slight verticalmovement or play between the parts to avoid cramping.

hen the ladder is to be folded the wing nuts 28-29 are released, the hook-like member 34 of the upper step detached and the upper step swung'upwardly and outwardly and into position-substantially in parallel relation. to the adjacent side of the ladder. The steps are then forcibly buckled upwardly and the ladder sides moved toward each other. This movement will causethe brace members 22-23 to move inwardly, the

slots 24-25 permitting this movement. WVhen the ladder sides and the buckled steps are drawn together the slot 37 of the upper step will be engaged with the adjacent pin 26 and the. wing nut 28 turnedhome thus locking the upper step in position and likewise coacting with the wing nut 29 tofirmly.

In Fig. 7 a modification in the construc-.

tion ofthe step is shown. In the modified structure the outer ends of the plates 38-39 are extended upwardly, thence outwardly as shown at 49 and thence downwardly and outwardly as shown at 50, the portion 50 being in longitudinal alinement with the plates 38-39 and spaced from the ends of the members 38-39. The inner ends of the portions 49 are extended obliquely to the longitudinal plane of the members 38-39, and the space between the extensions 50 and the outer terminals of the plates 38 39 are connected by rods 51 which perform substantially the same function as the U-shaped members 43-44, the rods 18 passing between the portion 49 and the pins 51, while the extensions 50' project beneath the inwardly directed portions 16 of the webs 15. The operation of the structure shown in Fig. 7 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 3, and may be employed under certain conditions.

In Fig. 8 another modification of the construction is shown consisting in bending the outer terminals of the members 38-39 downwardly as represented at 52 and thence outwardly as represented at 53, the portions 53 i extending in the same longitudinal planeas the portions 38-39. AL-shaped loops54 are to bear over the rods 18, and thus perform: the same function as the members 43-44, as shown in Fig. 3 and as the pins 51 shown in Fig. 7, while'the extensions 53 perform the same function as the extension 50 of the structure shown in Fig. 7 and bear beneath the inwardly directed portion 16 of the The rods18 extend obliquely to the longitudinal plane of the ladder sides, so that when the ladder is disposed in open position with the, sides inclined as shown in Fig. 1, the rods willbe in horizontal position,[ and to enable thepivotally united step sections '.g One end of each of-the loops 43' and 44 extends through both the members 38-39 and 41-42 and are riveted or headed at their-upper ends against the treads. The other ends of the loops'extendab'ove the hinged members 38 'and 39'so' that the outer ends of the treads 43 and; 44 bear against these extended portions."*By thismeans the tread portions of the steps are firmly supported and reinforced and prevented fronr outward movement when straln 1s applied.

Having thus described the inventlon, what is claimed as new 1s:

1.. Ina step ladder," sidesspaced apart and each fOrmed of a longitudinally extending channel member with inverted U-shaped clefts in the body portion at the points where the steps are to be located and bent inwardly to form stops, arod disposed between the webs of the side members adjacent to each stop, and steps each formed of coacting sections hingedly united at their confronting ends and swingingly engaging said rods, the outer ends of the step sections extending beneath the stops when the steps are distended.

2. In a step ladder, sides spaced apart and each including longitudinally extending members having inwardly directed stops where the steps are located, a rod extending between the longitudinal members adjacent to each stop, steps each formed of coacting members hingedly united at their confronting ends and bearing upon said rods with their outer ends beneath said stops, and holding members connected to said steps and bearing beneath saidrods and arranged to permit the step members to move longitudinally thereof.

3. In a step ladder, sides spaced apart and formed of coacting membershingedly united j each including members having inwardly directed stops Where the steps are located, a rod extending each including longitudinally extending niembershaving inwardly directed stops wheretli'ej steps are located, steps each at their confronting ends With their outer ends beneath said stops, means for pivoting said steps respectively to said. longitudinally extendin members, and holding members connected] to said steps and engaging said pivots to permit-the step members to-move longitudinally thereof.

4. Ina step ladder, sides spaced apart, a

plurality of foldable intermediate steps swingingly united to said sides, legs swinging from said sides,-0bliquely directed braces uniting said legs, clamp members adjustably connecting said braces tosaid legs, a combined platform and upper step swinging at one end from one of said spaced sides and detachably engaging the other spaced side, said combined platform and upper stephaving a. vertical flange at its rear edge, andan L-shaped member engaging said flange and the adjacent portion of the Platform and having an open slot for engaging the adjacent clamp member of thelegs.

5. In a step ladder, sides spaced apart, a,

plurality of foldable intermediate steps swingingly united to said sides,-legs each formed of an Linember having a cleft at the upper end and the portions of the leg released by the cleft bent over to reinforce the Webs of "the leg, pivot pins-extending through one of said bent-over portions and adjacent portion of the leg and pivotally engagingthe sides and the other reinforcing portions of the leg bearing against therear face. of the ladder sides When the legs are in open position and limiting the outward smovement thereof. T Y

6. In a step ladder, sides spaced apart and longitudinally extending between the longitudinal members adjacent to each stop, steps each formed of coacting members hingedly unitedat their confronting ends and bearing upon said rods With their outer ends beneath'said stops, treads bearing upon'said coacting step sections and abutting at their confronting ends, holding members extending at their inner ends through said coacting step sections and through said treads and extending at their outer ends against the outer ends of sald treads, said holdlng members adapted to engage said rods. I

7. In a step ladder, coacting sidesspaced.

outer ends of said treads, said holding members adapted to engage-said rods.

In testimony WhereofI aflix my signature in presence oft o witnesses.

LEE OZER GARRAWVAY. [n s] Witnesses:

G. S. BRANT, D. C. Mossy.

Copies of this patent may be ohtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. T

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